What's in a color?

I've been noticing lately that I've been really drawn to purple.  It's not intentional, but it's definitely happening.

Yesterday I wore a purple dress, today I am wearing purple and last night I even painted my nails purple.  Now that I'm aware of this, I will probably do my best to not wear purple the rest of the week.

Then again, maybe I will try to wear purple every day this week and see if anyone says anything.

*sweater - Target, skirt & belt - Express, shoes - Nine West

To jumpsuit or not to jumpsuit?

Did you watch the SAG awards last night?  I had the red carpet show on before I went to bed, but that's as much as I got.

While I wasn't paying complete attention, I did manage to catch Rose Byrne's outfit.  (from Bridesmaids)

I have to say, I totally dig it.

Then, a friend posted this on pinterest yesterday,

I have a love-hate relationship with jumpsuits.  I think they can look so chic, but they are not made for people with long torsos... or people with hips really.

Come on Spring!

*I took this photo and wrote this post last week while I was not blogging.... you get the irony of that, right?

I've been trying to wear more bright colors recently in the hopes of keeping my spirit up.  I think the blahs of winter are starting to get to me.

*Sweater - Nordstroms, tshirt - American Eagle, pants - Macys, shoes - Nine West, scarf - Old Navy (did you see one of the girls on the Bachelor wearing it?!)

An average Saturday

This is how I spent my day last Saturday...

(Instruction here, here and here)

UPDATE: 

I decided to try out a few of the bracelets to work on Tuesday.  This is my attempt at the whole bracelet stacking thing that's so popular right now.

Also, side note.  The bracelets that wrap with the bigger beads... HUGE pain.  The beads don't stay between the ribbon like they are supposed to.  I ended up playing with them most of the day.  I searched online and can't find anything that says how to prevent that, just a bunch of people complaining they had the same problem.

sometimes you just need a reality check

I will fully admit that sometimes, life just gets the better of me.  This past week just happened to be one of those times.

I'm not sure how much (or how often) I really let on to this blog that I feel a little beaten down by life lately.  While it was great to see my family over the holidays, driving back and forth to Chicago three times in three months was a lot.  Mixed in with several trips to other cities for work....  I was tired.

It's been 17 months of living in my house alone (granted the 7 month period of time when I had the Hales at my house for a reprieve).  I'm tired of making the hour drive to and from work.  I'm tired of getting up at 5am to get ready for work.  I'm tired of my daily routine of walking Samson, going to work, coming home, walking Samson, eating dinner, watching some TV, and then going to bed.  I'm tired of feeling like a hermit.

I hit my limit.

And life got the best of me.

It's hard to always remember how lucky you are, or how good things are going.... when the not so good things seem to be hitting you in the face.  It could be a lot worse.  I could be in severe debt.  I could be living somewhere else, in a terrible relationship that isn't working.  There are a lot of things that could make my situation worse.

All things considered, I am pretty damn lucky.

But it's hard to always remember that.  It's hard to not see/hear/read things about other people and not be envious.  To feel like the grass is always greener.  Or to think that there is no possible way you would ever be lucky enough to feel that way.  And that big green-eyed monster rears it's head.

So I needed a little perspective.  I needed to remind myself that while things seem terrible now, they will not always be this way.  In fact, things could be infinitely better soon.  I have a loving family and wonderful friends. And I am thankful.

A little personal time

I need to detach for a bit.  I know I just got back from a trip and started blogging again, but I am taking this week off.

Hopefully, I'll be back next Monday.

Just for fun

Found this floating around the web today.  It was making me smile so I wanted to share.

Minus the cigarette, I think I've made that face at more than once person before.  :)

A hair change

If you watched the Golden Globes last week, like Nanny and my mom and I did, I'm sure you felt the same way as I did about the dresses.  Kind of underwhelming right?  Sure, there were some gorgeous ones but there were also plenty of misses.  And, a bunch of boring ones.... at least in my opinion.  

Here are my favorites:

 Claire Danes - probably my favorite.  And the back was stunning.

 Emma Stone - not sure how I felt about that bird on the belt... but the dress is gorgeous

Shailene Woodley (from the Descendants) - so pretty and age appropriate 

 Rachel Evan Woods - I love this dress even though it's sort of weird

 Kate Beckinsale - so simple

Now.... for my "what were they thinking" choices:

 Amanda Peet - Really?  It looks like curtains

 Kelly Osborne - I'm not even sure what to say about this one

 Lea Michele - She looks like Spiderman in that one movie where he is bad... that weird black goop

 Oh Jessica Biel - I love you, but this dress breaks me heart.  She looked like she had three boobs

I bet right about now you are wondering why I titled this post "A hair change".  I don't blame you!  When I was in high school and college, I colored my hair A LOT.  I guess I felt like since I couldn't do much drastically with the cut, the color was a way I could keep mixing it up.  It also helped that my friend was my stylist so she almost always did it for free.

Then I moved out to DC, got a job, had to pay for my hair cuts (what?) and realized that really... the maintenance of coloring my hair was so not worth the money.  So I stopped.  It's been 5 years since the last time I colored my hair.  And really, I like my natural hair color.  But after watching the Golden Globes, I could not stop obsessing about Jessica Biel's hair color.

Look at it - so rich and amazing.  So right away, I saved a photo to my computer and messaged my stylist on facebook (we are friends okay).  I asked her if this color was totally out of the question for me.  She said no, actually, that it would look really nice and to schedule an appointment when I wanted.  Since I haven't gotten my hair cut since July (I actually can't believe that either now that it's written down), I'm way past due for a hair cut.  Now the issue is just getting my butt in there and paying the money to get it done.

#68 - Take a picture in a photo booth

I actually completed this item off my list without even realizing it.

While my colleague and I were at an event in San Diego, they happened to have a photo booth there.  We didn't plan on staying at this event for very long and it actually turned out to be more boring that we originally expected.  We promised ourselves that we would stay an appropriate amount of time and then hit up the photo booth on our way out.  And that's exactly what we did.

It wasn't until last night when I was browsing my 101 list looking for things I could try to accomplish that I realized I actually completed another one!  Yeah for happy accidents!!!

Here are the pics from the photo booth.

We're a classy duo that's for sure!

Starting off 2012 right

January is officially half over and I have not even addressed one thing on my list of goals for 2012.  Way to start off on the right foot, Megan!

I'm going to be addressing the saving one starting in February now that I have extra money from NO MORE CAR PAYMENTS!!!!!  

Also, I know this isn't a goal, but I have got to get a grip on my exercise and eating habits.  I was doing so well for a good chunk of time in 2011 and basically this entire winter have done nada.  I'm going to dig out this healthy eating book I have on my nook and try to refresh myself with this.  Also, I am going to sign up for the Summerfest half marathon again this summer.  Having that lingering deadline was a good motivation last year to keep up the running.  Plus, since I didn't do as well last year as I wanted and technically, the run was officially cancelled... I want a second chance.  Does this make me officially a "runner"? :)

House Update - Sort of

Well, it's officially 5 weeks out from the proposed closing date for the offer on the house.  And still, we haven't heard anything.  While I was waiting at the airport for my flight out to San Diego, I received an email from the attorney saying that the bank still needed two documents to complete our review and approval.  THEN, if they approve our request, they will review the offer.

The two documents that were missing were updated materials from the ex (come on) and a letter explaining some business that is tied to the address.  A company we do not know about, know who started, know who to contact about, and know how to dispute.  So hopefully, the letter that the ex wrote explaining that is good enough for the bank.

I checked with the attorney yesterday and he received the documents he needed but he hadn't heard anything back from the bank.

So, yeah.... 5 weeks.  Fingers and toes crossed that I hear something soon.  Something GOOD soon.

Back to reality...

Man, 5am came REALLY early this morning.  It was bad enough to have to get up that early, but then I had an impossible time trying to fall asleep.  I'm already looking forward to going home.... so I'm not sure what that will say about my productivity today.

To keep it simple, I'm going straight up outfit post.  I love new clothes.  And the first time wearing new clothes... it's the best.  So while my Nanny and mom were here this weekend, we killed some time one afternoon walking around the mall.  As you may recall, I have been on a mission to find a pair of ankle length pants (that didn't look like I was wearing floods) so that I could add some outfits to my work arsenal.  Well, with my mom and Nanny's help, I was finally successful.  And I couldn't wait to wear them.

 * vest - JCrew, shirt - Nordstroms, pants - INC at Macys, shoes - Nine West

Also, Macy's was having a HUGE coat sale and I found this super cute cape by Calvin Klein.  My mom got it for me, which I was so thankful for!  Sorry this picture isn't the best.

I'm back!

Sorry, I went MIA for a while.

As you know, I was out in San Diego to attend a conference.  I had an absolute BLAST!  Amanda was able to come down for the weekend to spend some time with me before my schedule got too crazy.  We walked around the Gas Lamp area on Saturday and I was able to take Amanda with me to a few dinners and receptions before she had to leave on Monday morning.  It was really nice to see her.

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were filled with educational sessions and networking events.  I met a ton of people and learned a lot.  It was a great event for me to attend both personally and professionally.  One thing I did realize though, was that my life of solitude that I am living does not prepare me for any sort of extended social activity.  I was DEAD TIRED!  Seriously... it was sad.  I really need to work on that.

While I was gone, my mom came out to watch Samson for me while I was gone.  It was really nice of her (and helpful) and I was glad to be able to spend some time with her when I got back.  Nanny also came out for the weekend.  The three of us spend Thursday afternoon until Monday night doing things together.

I'll be back to regularly scheduled posting tomorrow. :)

Saan Diago

I hope you read that title in Ron Burgundy style. :)

I made it to San Diego safely and my best friend, Amanda was able to come down for the weekend. We went to the hotel bar and had a few drinks while catching up.

Today, we got breakfast at Cafe 222 and then walked around the gaslamp neighborhood doing a little shopping. I got an adorable blouse that I will probably wear during this trip and tried on an amazing hat.

What do you think?

wardrobe mash-up

I don't know if I mentioned this, but I am heading to San Diego tomorrow to attend an industry conference.  This is the first time that I am actually participating in a conference as an attendee and I'm pretty excited about it.  It's also a REALLY great chance for me to meet more people in my field and get my name out there.  That being said, I'm stressed.  Mostly about packing (I know... how superficial).  But it's important for me that I look good, so that I feel good.  And all things combined make the best impression.

So for the last couple of days, I've been messing around with things in my closet trying to find the right outfits not only for the daily conference activities, but also for the night time activities (and there are LOTS of them).  It's been tough.

So this morning, I was feeling uninspired and in desperate need of a fun outfit.  Something that I haven't worn 20 times already.  So I threw this together.  All pieces I have worn before, but not together.  Plus, I FINALLY found a chance to wear my baublebar necklace!

*Shirt, tank & Skirt - Jcrew, belt - Target, tights - WeLoveColors, shoes - Macys

I'm sort of totally digging wearing this sequin tank as a "vest".  I will probably bring this outfit with me to San Diego (minus the tights).  I bought these tights on WeLoveColors.com since I had heard a few good things about it.  I ordered them before Christmas and they didn't arrive until after I left.  While the color and thickness is nice, they are do not have as much elasticity (thank you MEM) as I would like.  I can already tell that as the day goes on, they will probably start sagging.  I HATE that.

I'll try to post when I can from my phone while I'm in San Diego!

2012 Inspiration

found via pinterest

Back to work

Yesterday I did the drive back to DC from Chicago.  Seriously.... I hate that drive.  It's so LONG and BORING.  Thankfully, Samson was extremely well behaved yesterday, so even in blustery weather, it was a pleasant drive.

Here's a photo I snapped while my iphone was in the holder.  Samson chose to sit in the back seat from Columbus on.... not exactly sure why.  I think he likes how he is almost "locked" in when that passenger seat is reclined like that.  Funny since he HATED being in a crate when he was a puppy.

This is his "I'm so tired but I refuse to sleep" face.  :)

We managed to make it back to my house around 6pm, so I had plenty of time to unpack and watch a little TV.  Of course, I couldn't fall asleep to today is going to be rough.

I managed to remember to grab a quick outfit pick for my first day at the office in 2012. :)  It's going to be a high of 28 today.

*Pashmina - TJMaxx, shirt - Jcrew, dress - Gifted from Amanda, belt & tights - Target, shoes - Nine West

I have 3.5 days of work this week before I head to San Diego.  That means I have roughly 3 hours to get my head back into work mood so I can be productive.  We'll see how that goes!